This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
If you love Starbucks Peppermint Mochas, but hate the price, check out this delicious copycat recipe!
We're super excited about an amazing KitchenAid giveaway! Actually, it's beyond amazing, their spectacular KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series Espresso Maker in Candy Apple Red - and it could be yours. The giveaway guidelines are explained below, but we'd love to give you a little peek into how this beautiful machine operates. Scott, with our son Nick, put together a short video, featuring the espresso maker and my favorite seasonal coffee drink, peppermint mocha.
The only place I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying a peppermint mocha is at Starbucks, but at more than $4 a pop (cha-ching!), I have to restrain myself, as our budget just doesn't allow frequent coffee indulgences. Until now, that is.
Earlier this season, while still anticipating the first beloved chocolate and peppermint coffee drink, I got an idea. Why not figure out how to make these delicious drinks at home? Although I have an espresso maker that makes a wonderful peppermint mocha, my challenge was to develop a recipe that didn't require fancy, expensive equipment.
I started out with Starbuck's Peppermint Mocha description:
A holiday classic made with our signature espresso, steamed milk, sweet mocha sauce and peppermint-flavored syrup. It's all topped off with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls.
That was a great start! They use two different sauces; a sweet mocha sauce and a peppermint flavored syrup. I did a bit of googling, tried a few different recipes and came up with my own versions. You'll find the recipes below. The mocha sauce is wonderful drizzled on ice cream and makes wonderful hot chocolate when combined with milk and heated. Add a splash of the peppermint syrup and you've got a delicious Peppermint hot cocoa, yum!
Is steamed milk simply hot milk?
Now for the steamed milk. Is steamed milk simply hot milk? No, not really. Steaming milk with an espresso machine does make it hot, but it also creates foam (microfoam) or tiny bubbles. Can this be done without an espresso machine? Yup! There are actually a few ways to steam milk without fancy equipment. One of the easiest ways is to purchase an inexpensive handheld "frother". It's battery operated and all you do is place in warm milk and give it whirrrr.
There are also fairly inexpensive frothers that both heat and froth the milk. This Kuissential Deluxe frother is rated really well on Amazon. But guess what? You can create steamed milk in a clean empty glass jar! Yup, that's all you need. Just fill the jar halfway full and shake, shake, shake until the foam has double in volume (30-60 seconds). Then remove the lid and warm the milk for 30 seconds in the microwave. The heat will actually stabilize the foam! Cool, huh?
Espresso without a fancy machine
Espresso is hard to duplicate. It's a fairly precise science, although there are some amazingly simple espresso machines that do all the work for you. We love the beautiful KitchenAid Proline Espresso Maker you see in the pictures, but on busy days (that would be most days) we use our KitchenAid Nespresso Maker. Just slip in the pod, push the button and delicious espresso appears right before your eyes! It comes with its own Aeroccino milk frother so it's super easy to make all the fancy coffee drinks at home. If you have a coffee lover on your Christmas list, this would make a lovely gift!
Don't want to invest that much? How about authentic, delicious espresso at home every day for less than $25? This stove top espresso maker works great and produces velvety espresso in less than 5 minutes.
No espresso maker and you don't want to invest in one? You're okay on this front too. You can still enjoy peppermint mochas. It won't be exactly the same, but it will still be delicious. Just brew coffee in a regular pot using fine grounds and twice as much coffee as normal. Brew the coffee and make your peppermint mochas immediately after brewing according to the directions below.
So there you have it! The syrups are super simple to make and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. You'll find lots of other ways to use them, so they probably won't last that long. They'd make a fun gift for the coffee lover on your list. Just find some fun, pretty bottles and fill them up!
The Giveaway has been completed
P.S. By the way, Nick who's our coffee aficionado (aka coffee snob) says this Peppermint Mocha is better than Starbucks!
- 2 tablespoons Mocha Sauce see recipe
- 1 tablespoon Peppermint Syrup see recipe
- 3 ounces espresso or strong coffee see blog post for different ways to make espresso
- 8 ounces steamed milk see blog post for ways to create steamed milk
- whipped cream
- crushed peppermint chocolate curls mini chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder
-
Combine Mocha Sauce and Peppermint Syrup in a 12-ounce cup or mug
-
Add espresso
-
Steam milk and add to cup.
-
Garnish with whipped cream
-
Sprinkle with crushed peppermint, chocolate curls, mini chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder
-
Serve and enjoy!
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup coffee or water
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
-
In a medium size sauce pan, whisk together the sugar and the cocoa powder.
-
Slowly add the coffee (or water), whisking continually until all liquid has been added and mixture is smooth.
-
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Watch pot very carefully, as you will have a huge mess if you walk away and mixture boils over. (Don’t ask me how I know this!) Simmer on low for 5 minutes.
-
Cool completely then transfer to an airtight jar or bottle. Store in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using in coffee drinks.
-
Combine water and sugar in a medium size pot and stir well. Bring mixture to a rolling boil over medium high heat. Stir to make sure all sugar is dissolved.
-
Remove from heat and add peppermint extract. Allow to cool, then store in refrigerator in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature before using in coffee drinks.
Holly says
All the cookies! And the family time, but I seriously need some coffee and cookies to get me through some of those family gatherings 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
It does get a little hectic, doesn't it Holly?
Samantha says
My favorite thing about THIS holiday season is having my husband home from deployment for Christmas.
Thank you for the yummy Peppermint Mocha recipe, that is my favorite drink at Starbucks this time of year but sometimes I find it a little too sweet, this way I can adjust the sweetness.
Chris Scheuer says
That thrills us Samantha! So happy for you. Make lots of peppermint mochas!!
Sandy H says
My favorite thing is spending time with the family.
Susanne says
Favourite thing about the holidays are family, friends and food!
Sandy H says
My favorite thing is the family time and getting together to enjoy the holiday.
Lisa H. says
My favorite thing about the holidays is the time spent with friends and family.
deborah mele says
My favorite thing about the holidays is having my family all together, especially my grandkids!
Peggi Yacovissi says
Nice new website. One of our favorite things about the holidays is all the new and interesting food we make and enjoy with family and friends. Thanks for your help with that.
Rachel says
My favorite thing about the holiday season is spending time with family.
Vicki Yosh says
My favorite thing about the holiday season is BAKING COOKIES and giving them to friends and family! It's been a tradition in our family since I was a kid. We would mark out an entire day to bake and decorate cookies. Through the years, I have added so many other cookie varieties to the fun, that I spend a few days baking. I've kept my standards high though and pride myself on the fact that my cookies must look pretty and taste even better than they look. I guess that's why so many of my friends call me "the cookie baker."
I love the new site design! Happy Holidays!!!
Chris Scheuer says
That is such fun Vicki! Especially with the little ones!
Patti O'Reilly says
I love reflecting on the reason for the Season! The beautiful hymns..."Mary did you know"...gives me goose bumps! Sweet time to give thanks,visit w/friends and family plus try some new recipes! ..and love the decorations!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Patti! It truly is a time for reflection, faith and family.
Melissa cox says
Looks delicious!!! Will check out the espresso machine as I've been wanting one since I left barista job in college.
Chris Scheuer says
It's a really nice machine Melissa. Scott and Nick love the Italian influences and double boilers!
Melissa says
My favorite thing about this season is spending time with family while celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus.
Chris Scheuer says
It just doesn't get any better than that, does it Melissa?
Sandra feigley says
Y favorite thing about the season is sharing good food and good beverages while visiting with friends.
Chris Scheuer says
Isn't it amazing how filled up our calendars can get this time of the year? But it's all good, when it's family, faith and friends Sandra!
Amy says
I've been following your blog for a while and love many of your recipes. I first found you on Pinterest! This time of year I love warm beverages but more fun is trying yummy cookies recipes with our little ones.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for your sweet comment Amy! Cookies and little ones, a match made in heaven!
Beth says
LOVE CHRISTMAS!
Everything about it especially now with grandchildren. And cooking things off your website!❤️❤️
Chris Scheuer says
So sweet! Thanks Beth!
alicia says
My favorite thing about the holiday season is all of my family and friends getting together and just having a good time. I also love baking some yummy christmas desserts with my mom!
Lori says
Love Peppermint Mocha...thank you! Christmastime is my favorite time of the year. It is a time to focus on gratefulness ....because of the perfect Gift that was given. I love the joy of the season and the time to celebrate with family.
Susan says
What a wonderful giveaway! I love looking at all the beautiful lights & baking up a storm.
Janelle says
If I had to choose one thing, it would be all the baked goodies!!
Lori says
Love Peppermint Mocha...thank you! Christmastime is my favorite time of the year. It's a time to focus on gratefulness...for the perfect Gift we received. I love the spirit of joy it gives us and our time with family.
Erin H says
At this time of year, I love seeing how excited my kids get about everything. They are getting older, but holding on tight to Christmas magic and I am trying to enjoy it for as long as I possibly can!
BobsGal45 says
Can't say enough about Kitchen Aid... my entire kitchen is Kitchen Aid.... and can't tell you enough how much I enjoy your blog.....
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, that's very sweet of you to say! I've been a KitchenAid gal for years, too many to count!
Thia says
My favorite things about this season....there are so many...
Afternoon walks in the crisp air, wrapped in my favorite wool scarf, the scent of wood-burning stoves carried on the breezes... And Mmm, the smells floating through the house... of cinnamon and allspice, of pots of chili bubbling on the stove, of the blue spruce or pine needles of the freshly cut tree... Sitting around the table with dear friends and family, after we've just finished a delicious feast, everyone laughing and telling stories and talking at once... Being cozy in my cable throw, tucked up in my reading chair with a warm cup of hot chocolate or tea (or peppermint mocha!) and watching the snow falling softly beyond the windows...
...It's such a special time of year!
Carolyn Sands says
My favorite thing during the Holiday season is getting together with family and friends and I don't get to see often.